Triathlon: Janus Charity Challenge to kick off fundraising efforts at the 2004 Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene Triathlon

COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO-The Janus Charity Challenge program will kick off its fourth season of fundraising efforts at the second annual Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene Triathlon set to take place on Sunday, June 27, 2004.

As presenting sponsor of Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene, Ironman USA Lake Placid, Ironman Wisconsin and Ironman Florida, Janus Capital Group, the Denver-based investment management firm created the Janus Charity Challenge to encourage athletes to us as a way to raise money for their favorite nonprofit organizations.

"The Janus Charity Challenge provides a great opportunity for our athletes to raise funds for the charity or nonprofit group of their choice," said Graham Fraser, President of Ironman North America. "Janus has been a great partner with us and the Janus Charity Challenge has been a wonderful asset to our events. Our goal is to see it continue to grow for years to come."

In only three years, the Janus Charity Challenge has raised more than $4.5 million for hundreds of nonprofit groups throughout the country.

All athletes who compete in Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene, Ironman USA Lake Placid, Ironman Wisconsin or Ironman Flroida in 2004 are eligible to participate in the program. For the top five individual fundraisers at each race, Janus will make a donation to their designated charity in the following amounts: First place, $10,000; second place, $8,000; third place, $6,000; fourth place, $4,000 and fifth place, $2,000.

Janus will also contribute $750 to the beneficiaries of the next highest 25 fundraisers (athletes must raise a minimum of $750 to qualify). In addition, the top fundraiser at each race will have the entry fee waived for the race of his or her choice within the following 12 months (Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene, Ironman USA Lake Placid, Ironman Wisconsin or Ironman Florida only.)

Based in Denver, Colorado, Janus Capital Group Inc. is a leading asset manager offering individual investors and institutional clients complementary asset management disciplines through the firm's global distribution network. Janus Capital Group consists of Janus Capital Management LLC, Enhanced Investment Technologies LLC (INTECH), Bay Isle Financial LLC and Capital Group Partners.

To make a donation or sign up for the Janus Charity Challenge, or for more information, log onto www.januscharitychallenge.com.